Looking for tasty cake fillings that aren't buttercream frosting? From chocolate ganache to fruity curds, if you’re looking for alternatives to buttercream frosting for your cake we've got you covered!

Buttercream frosting is great (seriously, I have so many fun buttercream recipes available!), but sometimes you just want something a little different to fill your cake, right?

There are so many other cake fillings that can add amazing flavor and texture to your desserts. From creamy ganache to lemon curd and light, fluffy whipped creams, these options can make your cakes feel extra special without too much effort.

Whether you’re baking for a big celebration or just for fun, if you’re looking for a buttercream frosting substitute to fill your cake, these ideas are a great way to mix things up!

Creamy Fillings

If you love rich and decadent desserts, creamy fillings like the whipped chocolate ganache (shown above) are a fantastic alternative to buttercream. They’re thick, creamy, and often similar to frosting in sweetness and flavor!

Whipped Ganache Recipe

Whipped ganache is a light and fluffy frosting made by whipping chocolate and cream together, perfect for cakes and cupcakes.

Whipped Ganache Recipe

Cream Cheese Frosting

Using only 4 ingredients, one bowl, and 10 minutes, this cream cheese frosting is the perfect icing for red velvet cake, carrot cake and other cupcakes and desserts!

Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Cream Cheese Frosting being piped on cupcake

Pastry Cream

This vanilla bean pastry cream recipe is a perfect filling for cream puffs, tarts, pastries, cakes, and other delicious desserts!

Vanilla Pastry Cream Cheese Recipe

Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Using one bowl and just six ingredients, you can whip up a batch of this deliciously easy peanut butter cream cheese frosting in just 10 minutes!

Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

peanut butter cream cheese frosting on cupcake.

Chocolate Ganache

This easy chocolate ganache recipe is a perfect cake frosting or filling, or use slightly melted as a delicious glaze!

Chocolate Ganache Recipe

close up of warm, cooled, and whipped ganache on cupcakes

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

This easy homemade lemon cream cheese frosting uses only 5 ingredients and can made in less than 15 minutes!

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

lemon cream cheese frosting on cupcake with lemon slice

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

This easy chocolate cream cheese frosting uses only 6 ingredients and has 10 minute prep time, so whip up a batch of this delicious pipeable frosting for your cakes and cupcakes today!

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

piping chocolate cream cheese frosting on cupcake

Fruity Fillings

slicing a Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Filling up close.

Fruity fillings are perfect when you want to add a burst of freshness and brightness to your cakes (like this vanilla cake with strawberry filling!). For an even simpler option, jams or preserves are a quick and easy. These fillings are ideal for balancing sweet cakes with a touch of tartness.

Strawberry Cake Filling

This easy strawberry cake filling is a thick and delicious a strawberry filling, perfect for filling cakes, cupcakes, and macarons!

Strawberry Cake Filling Recipe

Easy Lemon Curd

This easy lemon curd recipe takes 10 minutes to make and has only 5 ingredients, so whip up a batch of this sweet dessert filling today!

Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe

Blueberry Coulis

This easy blueberry coulis sauce uses only 3 ingredients and can be made in less than 20 minutes!

Blueberry Coulis Recipe

blueberry coulis on panna cotta cup close

Jams and Preserves

Pre-made or homemade fruit jams and preserves are a super easy, simple, and delicious filling for cakes!

Check out These Jams

Light and Fluffy Fillings

chocolate whipped cream in mixing bowl up close.

When you're looking for something light and airy, fluffy fillings are the way to go. Stabilized whipped cream is a classic choice-it's easy to make and pairs well with almost any cake flavor, especially light sponge cakes or fresh fruit-topped creations. These fillings are great for those who prefer a less-sweet dessert.

Stabilized Whipped Cream

This homemade stabilized whipped cream recipe an easy way to keep your whipped cream firm and long lasting. No weeping whipped cream here!

Stabilized Whipped Cream Recipe

piping stabilized whipped cream into cream puff

Diplomat Cream

Using pastry cream and whipped cream this Diplomat cream recipe (Crème Diplomate) is a classic filling for cream puffs, tarts, and trifles.

Diplomat Cream Recipe

diplomat cream piped in bowl with strawberry up close.

Marshmallow Frosting

This easy homemade marshmallow frosting tastes just like marshmallow fluff! This recipe is a fun and simple alternative to buttercream, and this step-by-step tutorial will show you how to make perfectly fluffy frosting that doesn't get grainy.

Marshmallow Frosting Recipe

Mascarpone Whipped Cream Recipe

This delicious mascarpone whipped cream recipe uses 5 ingredients and only takes 10 minutes to make! It's the perfect whipped cream frosting for fruit, cakes, cupcakes, and your favorite desserts!

Mascarpone Whipped Cream Recipe

Chocolate Whipped Cream

This thick and rich chocolate whipped cream recipe is a quick and easy way to jazz up your traditional whipped cream.

Chocolate Whipped Cream Recipe

sprinkling cocoa powder on top of chocolate whipped cream.

Fun and Unique Fillings

edible chocolate chip cookie dough on spoon.

These fillings are for bakers who like to think outside the box! These creative fillings are perfect for adding personality and fun to the middle of your cakes.

Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Recipe

If you love cookie dough, this edible cookie dough recipe is for you! Made using no eggs and heat treated flour its an easy no-bake treat!

Edible Cookie Dough Recipe